PriceProtect™
DriveShield™
GarageGuard™
Services
Insurance
Car Insurance
Compare Car Insurance with Jerry
Jerry’s Expert Advice
Car Insurance Estimates
Home & Renters Insurance
Renters Insurance
Loans
Car Loan
Compare Car Loans with Jerry
Jerry's Expert Advice
Car Loan Guides
Repairs
Car Repair Estimates
Repair Estimates for Popular Services
Advice
Read Car Content
Browse Jerry Car Advice
Check Out Expert Car QnA
Learn About How We Create Content
Jerry Data & Research
How do you clean a cylinder head yourself?
I just retired this past summer, and I decided to take up a car restoration project. I’ve got the engine stripped down, but the cylinder head looks filthy. I don’t have a professional blaster machine, so could you explain how to clean a cylinder head without one? Is it doable?
Matt Terzi · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
Car restoration projects are challenging, but a lot of fun. And we’re glad you’re taking the time to clean the cylinder head while you have the chance.
You’ll need some tools to get the job done:
- Safety First! Protective eyewear and chemical-resistant gloves are a must!
- A bucket or tub large enough for the cylinder head
- Parts cleaner (brakes cleaner also works)
- A plastic (not metal!) scraper tool
- Compressed air
- Shop rags
And now let’s learn how to clean a cylinder head:
- Use your plastic scraper to remove the old head gasket material. You need to scrape every bit away, and be careful not to scratch the mating area as this can result in head gasket problems.
- Clean the cylinder head manually using parts cleaner and shop rags. Take your time and be as thorough as possible. Spray the cleaner into any areas you can’t scrub.
- Soak the cylinder head in your bucket or tub. Set it in warm water and make sure it’s fully submerged, and let it soak for at least a few minutes. The warm water will help break up and remove what you couldn’t get.
- Pull the cylinder head out of the bucket and rinse it with warm water, this time without soaking. A spray bottle or garden hose can prove useful here.
- Dry the head off as much as you can with a clean rag.
- Use compressed air to clean out holes and passages. This will remove water, as well as engine gunk loosened up by the cleaner and the water bath.
- Allow the cylinder head to dry thoroughly. Set it somewhere to dry, and make sure you cover it up so dust and debris doesn’t get in. You need the head to be perfectly clean before reassembling your engine.
When your car restoration project is finished and it’s time to invest in
car insurance
, make sure you save money and compare the best quotes using Jerry
, a trusted name in insurance
and America’s #1 top-rated broker app. Jerry users save an average of more than $800 per year on car insurance!View full answer
- Gregory R.
WHY YOU CAN TRUST JERRY
Jerry partners with more than 50 insurance companies, but our content is independently researched, written, and fact-checked by our team of editors and agents. We aren’t paid for reviews or other content.
Join 4M+ members in lowering their car insurance
You Might Also Be Interested
Read Advice From Car Experts At Jerry
What Others Are Asking
Browse More Content
Insurance in Your State
Easiest way to compare and buy car insurance
No long forms
No spam or unwanted phone calls
Quotes from top insurance companies
